Buxton Hilly – the G3 perspective

At 5.00 pm on the day of the race I was lying on the sofa feeling rotten with a cold……  How I wish I’d stayed there! 

An email sent to Alan Turner saying I wouldn’t be attending, one straight back asking if I was man or mouse?  After a little squeak I told him that was fighting talk where I come from and to count me back in. I hurriedly stuffed down eight chocolate digestives, a double shot coffee and was ready to rock ‘n’ roll.  

On arrival, I liked the look of this course, grass, few hills, nothing major but just enough, two laps.  Yep, this might not be too bad after all. No Louisa, Di B getting over a cold, not Janine’s kind of thing – but more so than the Roaches, but still fancied my chances, but out was Steve Russell, could have done without Steve-o tonight I thought … in a nice way.

The start delayed by 20 minutes and we are almost ready to go, overcast and the threat of rain, not warm but not cold. The starter explains the route, means nothing to me, I am just more concerned about the start as it all sounded and looked a bit confusing, “bear right of that Marshall then left of the other but keep right of the gully, ok?”, I’m on it, let’s just hope the other 200 hundred runners can fit through the 20 yard gap in the first 100 yards. 

Off we go and within the first 100 yards we all run almost into the marshals, and many straight through the gully, no harm done, though, and it soon opens out and off to the tower in the distance. The terrain is grass, relatively flat with no real problems to run on, the inclines are often but not huge, the biggest being the final 400 yards to the Tower.

My plan was to go out quick and hold on. We reach the top of the hill where the Tower is, a welcome cheer from Martin, always appreciated, and we duly loop back on ourselves. Steve Russell is on my shoulder as we descend. The grass becomes a trail and though a more stable surface, parts are steep with roots to avoid, I like it and run down it well. 

As we begin to climb through the woods again I would have hoped I had 20 yards on Steve after the fast decent, I hadn’t. He was closing in on me and duly went past before we start the steep climb towards the second lap. Tony comes past me as well, looking strong, I rubber neck, as you do, and see both Di B, Janine and Chris Cannon now closing in. I’ve worn a top under my vest and I’m far too warm, my chest feels all off and my breathing is everywhere and at the top of the steep hill I decide that’s enough for me and duly step aside and let the others pass.

I walk off up the hill 30 yards and inform the officials of my stopping and then walk back down and from a distance watch the runners coming up the steep hill.  I see Sally, John P and Amanda come through all looking strong and then Sharon, Don and Huma, all digging deep. Then came Judith who had a spring in her step, Trevor who would rather be shot than walk a hill, Belinda looking  so determined as she always does and Gail waving to a clapping Elspeth.  Gail was wearing her big smile and looking like she was ready to attack the second lap.

The rain began to fall which on what was now a muggy kind of night and I thought the runners would welcome this. Jack Ross (SMAC) came through in 27.30 and was followed by 4 other runners before our very own Andy Whittingham in 29.53 – he just gets better. Then, a spritely looking Tom McGaff (1^st M55) followed by Alan Mc who looked strong on his favoured terrain. Graham Taylor’s absolute determination could be heard in his breathing as he pushed hard to the finish. 

Janine, our first lady, in 37.45 and 1^st F40 got the Group 3 59 points, her 60-point dream shattered by Steve Russell who ran a great race and had a quite a battle with Tony who beat him by 13 seconds (double knot your laces next time, Steve!). Gavin picked up 57-points followed by a still recovering Di B.  Just over a minute separated Chris Cannon, Nicky, Alan, Sally and Patrick, they were followed in by a post-holiday John Porteous, and a brave but still injured Sharon.  

Group 3 always has a high turnout and every point has to be earned. Louisa is without doubt the one to catch.  However, with some longer races looming Janine will come into her own – and after looking at the Lymm results, there is clearly a battle to come.  Steve Russell on his day can take 60-points from anyone, but it would help if he didn’t have to stop TWICE to tie his laces I’d imagine. Not quite halfway through the SS and it looks like there’s a lot to run for.

A Boom I hear you ask?  Come on, not even I can dress up a DNF!! – I’ll see you at The Fairy Freckled Cow, though.

Andy D